Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's plane was nearly struck by a suspected Russian Shahed-type drone on September 8, 2026, as it was departing from Moldova. This incident occurred while Zelenskyy was en route to Norway to attend the funeral of King Harald V and meet with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. The timing of the drone incursion, reported by Moldova's Defense Ministry at approximately 4:20 p.m. local time, coincided with Zelenskyy's flight and has raised concerns about a potential assassination attempt.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store confirmed the near-miss, stating to the Norwegian broadcaster NRK on September 9, 2026, that Zelenskyy's plane was "almost hit by a drone as it was taking off from Moldova. This is the reality he faces." The drone incident led to airspace closures, emergency alerts, and the scrambling of NATO fighter jets. While Moldovan military statements did not explicitly mention Zelenskyy's flight, the suspicious timing has fueled fears of a targeted attack.
Zelenskyy had arrived in Norway on September 8, 2026, for meetings related to anti-ballistic weapons, as Ukraine faces ongoing Russian bombardments. He expressed a desire to develop Ukraine's own anti-ballistic system, with reports indicating collaboration with Norwegian weapons manufacturer Kongsberg Gruppen on the Freyja air defense system. The incident underscores the constant dangers faced by the Ukrainian leader during his travels amid the conflict.
